Age

Trend over time

Myeloma is the 17th most common cause of cancer death in the UK, accounting for 2% of all cancer deaths (2016).[1-3]

In males in the UK, myeloma is the 16th most common cause of cancer death (2% of all male cancer deaths). In females in the UK it is the 16th most common cause of cancer death (2% of all female cancer deaths).

54% of myeloma deaths in the UK are in males, and 46% are in females.

Myeloma mortality rates (European age-standardised (AS) rates) are similar to the UK average in all the UK constituent countries.

About this data

Myeloma mortality is strongly related to age, with the highest mortality rates being in older people. In the UK in 2014-2016, on average each year around 6 in 10 (61%) deaths were in people aged 75 and over.[1-3] This largely reflects higher incidence and lower survival for myeloma in older people.

Age-specific mortality rates rise steadily from around age 50-54 and more steeply from around age 65-69. The highest rates are in the 90+ age group for males and the 85 to 89 age group for females.

Mortality rates are significantly higher in males than females in a number of (mainly older) age groups. The gap is widest at age 40 to 44, when the age-specific mortality rate is 3.1 times higher in males than females.

Myeloma (C90), Average Number of Deaths per Year and Age-Specific Mortality Rates per 100,000 Population, UK, 2014-2016

About this data

Myeloma European age-standardised (AS) mortality rates for males and females combined increased by 60% in the UK between 1971-1973 and 2014-2016.[1-3] The increase was larger in males than in females.

For males, myeloma AS mortality rates in the UK increased by 71% between 1971-1973 and 2014-2016. For females, myeloma AS mortality rates in the UK increased by 47% between 1971-1973 and 2014-2016.

Over the last decade in the UK (between 2004-2006 and 2014-2016), myeloma AS mortality rates for males and females combined remained stable. In males AS mortality rates remained stable, and in females rates remained stable.

Myeloma mortality rates have varied between age groups in males and females combined in the UK since the early 1970s.[1-3] Rates in 25-49s have decreased by 41%, in 50-59s have decreased by 27%, in 60-69s have remained stable, in 70-79s have increased by 65%, and in 80+s have increased by 226%.

About this data

Myeloma mortality rates are projected to fall by 17% in the UK between 2014 and 2035, to 5 deaths per 100,000 people by 2035.[1] This includes a smaller decrease for males than for females.

For males, myeloma European age-standardised (AS) mortality rates in the UK are projected to fall by 16% between 2014 and 2035, to 6 deaths per 100,000 by 2035.[1] For females, rates are projected to fall by 22% between 2014 and 2035, to 4 deaths per 100,000 by 2035.[1]

About this data

Projections are based on observed incidence and mortality rates and therefore implicitly include changes in cancer risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. It is not possible to assess the statistical significance of changes between 2014 (observed) and 2035 (projected) figures. Confidence intervals are not calculated for the projected figures. Projections are by their nature uncertain because unexpected events in future could change the trend. It is not sensible to calculate a boundary of uncertainty around these already uncertain point estimates. Changes are described as 'increase' or 'decrease' if there is any difference between the point estimates.

There is no evidence for an association between myeloma mortality and deprivation for either males or females in England.[1] England-wide data for 2007-2011 show European age-standardised mortality rates are similar for both males and females living in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived.[1]

References

About this data

Data is for: UK, 2007-2011, ICD-10 C90

Deprivation gradient statistics were calculated using mortality data for 2007-2011. The deprivation quintiles were calculated using the Income domain scores from the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) from the following years: 2004, 2007 and 2010. Full details on the data and methodology can be found in the Cancer by Deprivation in England NCIN report.

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